California Organized Investment Network (COIN) Is a Collaborative Effort Between the California Department of Insurance, the Insurance Industry, Community Affordable Housing and Economic Development Organizations, and Community Advocates.

The Investigation Division investigates suspected fraud committed by insurance agents, brokers, public adjusters, bail agents, insurance companies and other individuals and entities transacting the business of insurance who perpetrate fraud against consumers.

ORANGE, Calif. — Lamont Goodwin, 33, and Sylvia Camarillo, 31, were arrested yesterday by California Department of Insurance (CDI) detectives on multiple felony charges of insurance fraud after allegedly submitting a fraudulent claim and filing a false police report in an attempt to bilk their insurer out of $18,000 for damages not covered by their insurer.

"Trying to cover your tracks and recover uninsured losses by filing a fraudulent claim is a life-altering mistake," said Commissioner Dave Jones. "Let this be an example that insurance fraud is a serious crime that will likely lead to your arrest and possible time in jail."

In May 2016, Goodwin was driving and involved in an auto accident, according to a report taken by the responding officers from the Tustin Police Department. Following the accident, Goodwin and his domestic partner, Camarillo, allegedly lied to their insurer reporting that Camarillo was the person driving the vehicle and Goodwin was a passenger.

Based on the police report, the insurer denied the claim because Goodwin was an excluded driver on the policy, so the accident was not covered. Before receiving the police report, the carrier paid $18,000 to the credit union that held a lien on the totaled vehicle.

After the claim was denied, Camarillo and Goodwin filed a complaint with the Tustin Police Department accusing the responding officers of racism and lying on the police report. An internal affairs investigation was initiated by Tustin Police Department.

Suspecting fraud, the insurance company and the Tustin Police Department reached out to CDI, which launched a fraud investigation that determined Goodwin was, in fact, the driver and Camarillo was not in the car at all or at the scene. Both Goodwin and Camarillo allegedly conspired to file a fraudulent claim so the insurance company would pay for damages that were not covered under the conditions of the policy. The investigation also uncovered that the pair filed a false police report accusing the Tustin police officers of lying on the original traffic report.

Goodwin and Camarillo were booked into the Orange County Jail. Bail was set at $30,000 for Goodwin and $30,000 for Camarillo. The Orange County District Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.

The California Department of Insurance, established in 1868, is the largest consumer protection agency in California. Insurers collect $289 billion in premiums annually in California. Since 2011 the California Department of Insurance received more than 1,000,000 calls from consumers and helped recover over $394 million in claims and premiums. Please visit the Department of Insurance web site at www.insurance.ca.gov. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800.927.HELP or 213.897.8921. Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD), please dial 800.482.4833.